Ok, I have been looking at all the fine examples of calls each one of you have posted here and I am blown away. I was so taken by some of them that I have already placed the first of many future orders. My wife is not gonna like this website.......

Not only do I want calls from each one of you, now I want to try my hand too. I am going to try and make a long box (hand carved). I found a local supply store for millworkers but they don't have the thickness of materials I need to carve out a solid body long box. Do any of you know where I can find material that will be thick enough for me to work with?

I think I am going to try with cedar first. If it works out well I want to try some exotic woods.

Ebay. For long boxes I like spanish cedar, eastern red cedar (aromatic red cedar) and butternut for the body. Poplar is a very forgiving wood but it's kind of cheap so I personally pass on it. You can also check out pricing by using google and searching by wood type.

Poplar is inexpensive and for that reason it makes a very good wood to start with, your not out much if your wreck a few as your learning, and it's also easy to get and easy to work with. It makes a good sounding long box with a cherry or walnut paddle or whatever you like?